Published: May 3, 2018
Even though it gets a bad rap, your body needs cholesterol to help build cells. Your cholesterol number plays a major role in measuring your health. When you have your cholesterol checked, do you know what the numbers actually mean?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the fats in your blood. Cholesterol is made by your body (specifically your liver) and comes from the food you eat. The liver makes all the cholesterol you need. The foods we eat can contain fats that cause the liver to make more cholesterol than the body needs. Foods such as meat, poultry and full-fat dairy contain saturated and trans fat, which trigger the liver to make cholesterol.
When you get your cholesterol checked, you have ablood test called a lipoprotein profile. Your total blood cholesterol is made up of several numbers, including:
A cholesterol check involves a simple blood test that can be done at your primary care provider’s office.
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LDL cholesterol:
HDL cholesterol:
Heart-healthy lifestyle changes can lower your cholesterol and prevent it from being high in the first place.
Here’s what a heart-healthy lifestyle looks like:
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